LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19994, 10 November 1927, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

DAYLIGHT-SAVING Sir.—l noticed in the “Chronicle’* of November 8, a letter signed “A Farmer’s Son,” dealing with .daylight saving and would like a little space to reply. Surely, after New Zealand’s finest brains have decided that daylight saving is the proper thing it is an impertinence on the part of “A Farmer’s Son” to write in the strain he ha*. Farm labourers will welcome the change; they know what it is to work from daylight till dark. Thanks to the W.E.A. and other institutions, they have become educated and will recognise the wail from “A Farmer’s Son** as only a cry in the wilderness.. EX-FARM LABOURER Nov. 9[Several passages of an objectionable nature have been deleted from thia letter.—Ed.] Sir, —Since coming into force, of the Summer Time Act, considerable criticism seems to be levelled at its expected evil -consequences by certain sections of the community who, apparently have no real grounds for their opposition were they to face the facts fairly. Much of the opposition is imaginary and due more often to ignorance than, anything else. “Farmer’s Son” writing in your columns, speaks of this legislation as being a mistake that no stone should be left unturned to have it repealed. One wonders how anyone could be so bigotted as to make such a sweeping statement concerning legislation which has now been adopted in Britain and most of the leading European countries.

The operation of the Summer Time Act is particularly suited? to New Zealand and although all new social reforms arc bound to slightly inconvenience a few, when the pros and cons arc balanced its good points easily outweigh any shortcomings it may have. Also it is up to us to give it a fair trial, thinking of the good it will do the masses and not looking at it from our own selfish viewpoint only. Th© few objections raised by some of tho farming community, could be easily remedied if any serious effort were made to overcome them.

Besides, does “Farmer’s Son” know that New Zealand mean time was fixed by Act of Parliament in 1859, 11 ? hours ahead of Greenwich, which Meridian (172|) passes approximately through Christchurch? Docs he not realise then that since the North Island lies wholly cast of this meridian tho average mean time in the North Island is about 30 minutes slow on sun time, and in the case of the more easterly portions—Gisborne for example—is 44 minutes slow on sun time, and with summer time in operation, is only 16 minutes ahead? Then owing to the lie of New Zealand, those portions to the west of 1721 are also the most southerly and have more daylight naturally. Thus, it caji be seen that New Zealand is geographically, particularly suited for the operation of the Summer Time Act.

Also, does not “Farmer’s Son” realise that some 120 hours of artificial lighting will t>e saved in every homa, and institution in New Zealand during this period? Is this not an economic consideration? If he has to work from daylight to dark, how can he be affected by the new Act, since the hours of daylight will not be changed? Does he not realise that the majority of New Zealanders are in favour of the Bill which has now become law, and that, even If the whole of New Zealand’s 80,000 farmers were against it (assuming they were all against it which they are not), they would have little chance of repealing the law in a conn try of one and a half millions?

Finally, would it not be better Tf ‘ ‘ Farmer’s Son ’ ’ looked at the not from his own narrow viewpoint, but from the broader national aspect and do his best to work in with th< new measure, if not for his own then for the sake of ■others. ANOTHER FARMER’S SON Rapanui. Nov. 8.